Born and bred in Limpopo, Mangkweng aka Turfloop. Uncompatable! Phillip Dikotla is a “snack”, a versatile stand-up comedian, with a charmingly playful funnier than though comedy streak and more than ten years of experience in the comedy business. A unique and highly decorated multi award winning background in theatre and performance. Adept and skilful at using his simple, ordinary, everyday-man-like domino and storytelling skills to elicit roaring laughter.
A creative arts entrepreneur and with a unique perspective and drive to improve audience experiences and content consumption. Funny man knows just how to prick funny holes on any subject, without breaking a sweat in a truthful, yet jarringly funny way, no matter the occasion. A familiar face on local television.
Why Comedy?
As the cliché goes “Comedy was my first love”, and it was my first love, from the first time when I realised there is pleasure in making people laugh. I’ve told all kinds of jokes to date. From desperate for attention types of jokes, to my quiet internal jokes, jokes that almost got me suspended from school, being a clown, to funny performances that opened and closed doors to my acting a career. With every moment I scored a nick-names, and there’s more where those once came from.
When did you realise that comedy is for you?
Didn’t know it was comedy, but making people laugh became a thing for me, when I realised that, once people hear what I have to say, they will forget what I look like.
What’s your take on the current state of SA comedy?
It needs more heroes, people who can inspire more diversity. For lack of a better word, it’s “pseudo” white (I don’t know, something like that).
Comedians don’t have income at the moment, what needs to be done?
It’s good. They must rest. They work hard, now they must sleep in the bed we made.
How is your company surviving since it play in the comedy space?
With Covid, what the future holds for SA comedy?
I’m trying to overcome my adversity. I’m not goanna complain about money, as if there was money before covid. There was never money for us (Phillip Dikotla FlipnFlap Pty… and The Regular Post). We choose to be mad by continuing to make people laugh regardless of the platforms, regardless of what’s happening.
What’s next for you?
All I can say is that the Future is The Regular Post.
What are your thoughts on digital technology and how can it be utilised as a medium?
It has no limits. Unlimited potential. The limit is most likely has to do with the people we surround ourselves with, how we think, and choose to respond.
What is your advice to comedians who are going through hard time?
It’s just a joke. We’re all in the same boat. Me speaking to the same circumstances were all going through is hard. What gets me going is knowing that I’m not chained to this thing. It’s just a joke I do because I want to. Because I enjoy doing it. It’s just a joke. Our paths re different. Some do what they have to do, in order to do what they wat to do.
How has your family taken to you being a full-time creative?
The beauty of me growing up in poverty, is that my mother’s lack of money to further my studies, was a free pass to doing what I want to do. I’ve never had to discuss my career path with my family.
What is your typical day like and has the Global Pandemic impacted your schedule?
Not much. The pandemic ha sharpened my focus on things I would have continued to take for granted in the past few years. No more coffee meetings. I’m making more progress. I wake up, follow my plans. Less noise.
What do you think is the role of “creatives” in the world?
To do what they want to do. But know that what they want to do will one day become a job or career. And that the world doesn’t owe us anything.
You have done that with your work, how has been the reception?
Done what? I’m good. I’ll do that regardless of the reception.
What are your thoughts on Gender-Based Violence?
Stop gender based violence. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Respect boundaries to anyone’s body, mind, and spirit. We must learn to talk as a people, and exhaust all other means to solve, deal and address challenges we face as people, to avoid violence.
How do you relax during lockdown?
Netflix, and reading
What does creativity mean to you?
Failure re imagined.
What’s next for you?
I just arrived. What’s the rush?
How can our platform (nojokescomedy) can be used to grow the industry?
Serve the industry. Serve the culture. Don’t define the industry or culture.
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